Susan Rapp, director of the Columbia West Kumon Center, reviews "Road to Reading," a new series published by Golden Books (1998, $3.99).

This series, consisting of five levels, provides children with some delightful texts on the road to independent reading. The stories and artwork are engaging because they have been created by distinguished authors and artists, including Margaret Wise Brown, Richard Scary and Sarah Albee.

The books are designed without age or grade level. However, the vocabulary is controlled and the reading skill levels are guided. The series begins with easy words in the "Getting Started" books and gradually moves along to "Chapter Books." Each level is called a "mile."

There are also extras that parents can obtain for free, including a poster-sized "Reading Road Map," stickers and certificates.

These books provide the motivation to learn to read, as well as an exciting array of writers' styles and artists'illustrations to appeal to children.

Pub Date: 11/18/98